Mamelodi Sundowns cruised into the next round of the Nedbank Cup with a commanding 6-1 victory over NB La Masia at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Gaston Sirino bagged a hat-trick while Matias Esquivel, Terrence Mashego, and Lebohang Maboe also got their names on the score sheet for Sundowns, while Fuad Johnson scored the only goal for La Masia.
The game got off to a good start with both teams trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges of the match.
The Brazilians broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Sirino found the back of the bottom corner with a calm finish after being set up by Lebohang Maboe.
18′ GOAL! Sirino bags the opener with a classy finish into the bottom corner!#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/RiypatfKBD
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
Sundowns doubled their lead four minutes later after Esquivel bagged his first goal with an incredible free-kick to find the top corner.
22′ GOOOOOOAAAAAL! Esquivel introduces himself to the Yellow Nation with an UNSTOPPABLE free kick!#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/oNQwLgEeXl
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
Mashego made it 3-0 after 27 minutes of play with a calm finish after a inch-perfect pass from Esquivel.
27′ GOAL! It’s three as Mashego finishes calmly after the pin-point pass from Matias!#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/Hwr0LTu0oI
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
La Masia were then awarded a penalty in the 34th minute after Allende was adjudged to have fouled his man in the box. Johnson stepped up and made no mistake from the spot-kick to make it 3-1.
37′ GOAL! La Masia get one back from the spot.#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
The visitors responded five minutes later when Sirino scored his second goal of the game after a wonderful assist from Maboe.
39′ GOAL! It’s an instant response from The Brazilians! Sirino bags his second after brilliant work from Maboe!#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/D8JFe6c1sG
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
Sundowns proved too strong in the first half of the game as they went into the half-time interval with a commanding 4-1 lead over La Masia.
A fiery first half comes to a close with the Brazilians taking the lead, a big second half is on the cards!🔥
NB La Masia (37′ Johnson) 1⃣➖4⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (18′, 39′ Sirino, 22′ Esquivel, 28′ Mashego)#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/LX5VlTuMRu
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
The visitors made a triple change at the restart as Bongani Zungu, Thembinkosi Lorch and Neo Maema came on to replace Lebusa, Allende and Mendieta.
HT Subs 🚫 Mosa Lebusa | Marcelo Allende | Junior Mendieta
✅ Bongani Zungu | Thembinkosi Lorch | Neo Maema#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/OOQEY3nBoH
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
Maboe eventually got a goal of his own in the 49th minute when Sirino turned provider to set up the Sundowns attacker to make it 5-1.
49′ GOAL! Maboe gets his goal after finishing off a well-worked team move!#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/K4PJDBNscM
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
The Brazilians put the game beyond La Masia when Sirino completed his hat-trick after slotting home a cross from substitute Lorch.
70′ GOAL! It’s a hattrick for Gaston Sirino as he tucks away the cross from Lorch!#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/uHaIXiWbdF
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
Rulani Mokwena opted to make two changes within the space of four minutes between the 72nd and 76th minute as Brian Onyango came on for Lunga and Maboe was taken off and replaced by Tashreeq Matthews.
72′ Subs 🚫 Divine Lunga
✅ Brian Onyango#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/EGDfLst9xr
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
76′ Subs 🚫 Lebohang Maboe
✅ Tashreeq Matthews#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/opipBdQPUs
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
Sundowns were unable to add to their goal tally and held on to secure a comfortable 6-1 victory over La Masia to book their place in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.
The game ends with an emphatic win for the Brazilians! Last 16 here we come! 🔥
NB La Masia (37′ Johnson) 1⃣➖6⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (18′, 39′,71′ Sirino, 22′ Esquivel, 28′ Mashego, 49′ Maboe)#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/nj4GmPBDvg
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 20, 2024
Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix